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SCALE · ON ALTO SAXOPHONE

A Chromatic

All 12 semitones, in order. Used for chromatic passing tones and modern jazz / classical lines.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds a major 6th below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 9 title A Chromatic Verovio
Keyboard
ABB♯DEE♯F𝄪ABB♯DEE♯F𝄪ABB♯DEE♯F𝄪AA♯C♯D♯F♯G♯A♯C♯D♯F♯G♯A♯C♯D♯F♯G♯
Related scales
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the A Chromatic scale?

The A Chromatic scale uses the notes A, A♯, B, B♯, C♯, D, D♯, E, E♯, F♯, F𝄪, G♯ (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Chromatic scale formula?

The Chromatic scale follows the interval pattern H H H H H H H H H H H H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on A to get the A Chromatic scale.

What chords work over A Chromatic?

Try chord pairings derived from the scale's third, fifth, and seventh degrees as roots — they share the most diatonic notes.

How do I finger A Chromatic on Alto Saxophone?

On saxophone, scales train fingering + the altissimo register. Practice the entire range — low Bb through high F (or higher with altissimo fingerings) — at each scale.

When would I use the Chromatic scale?

All 12 semitones, in order. Used for chromatic passing tones and modern jazz / classical lines.